One man's voice Thoughts, rants and commentary of a simple man

How to vote like an ignorant fool

This is going to sound bad. You have been warned.

It seems that this election, for some reason, has been the most hotly contested election in recent memory. The sheer number of people speaking out about politics through various forms of media is astounding. There are so many new voters this year (folks who were not of legal voting age during the last presidential race) and so many more people in general voicing opinion, satisfaction, dissatisfaction and malcontent with our candidates that the results of this election are going to be historic no matter the outcome.

However something has been unsettling for me in this election from pretty early on. Putting aside the fact that our choice as an American public has been taken from us by the media promoting only two candidates (think back to 2004 when it was said that Ralph Nader's campaign stole votes from those that might have voted for John Kerry if Nader hadn't been in the race thereby producing a victory for President George W. Bush) the issue of REPUBLICAN versus DEMOCRAT has seemed to me to take on an all new persona this year.

It seems more and more people are voicing their support for Barack Obama because A) he is a democrat, and B) he is not George W. Bush. At the same time it seems that more and more people are voicing their dissatisfaction with John McCain because A) he is a republican, and B) he is similar in style to George W. Bush.

Now there are many voters out there that are the exact opposite, voicing concern about Barack Obama because he is a democrat and support for John McCain because he is a republican. There are also people voicing concern over Barack Obama because he is a black man. There are also some people that are concerned with John McCain because he is old. And even some that are concerned with John McCain because his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, is a woman.

Of all of these concerns the only one that I might consider an even remotely decent reason to not vote for someone is age. We as a people want someone that can lead with longevity. Someone whose health is not going to be an issue in the long run. I can see that. What I cannot see is anyone choosing a candidate because of:

• His/Her skin color
• His/Her gender
• His/Her religious beliefs
• His/Her political party

Yes, I added political party to that list. I know that might be taboo for many folks that vote for someone just because they are of a particular political party affiliation but seriously, how stupid of a way to vote is that? If you know nothing of the way the person believes other than their political party affiliation then you are shooting yourself and the municipality you are voting within in the foot.

Gender does not make a leader. Neither does skin color. Neither does religion or age. A leader is shaped by the beliefs he/she hold and how they implement and act upon those beliefs. It is how they handle those they are leading, how they handle adversity as well as success and how they handle fame and distraction while in a leadership position.

When I look at the current presidential race in our country alongside the senate races and mayoral races locally all I can think of is that there are so many people that believe so many things that are not in line with what I believe in. How can I vote for any of them?

I will tell you this about myself right here and now so you can get a feel for who I am and how I think politically. I am a registered republican. I have been since I was 19 years old. I have my reason for it as I am sure you have your reasons for aligning yourself politically the way you do. But given my political party affiliation I have to say that just because someone is a republican does not mean they get my vote nor does it mean that just because someone is a democrat do they not get my vote.

I am also a Christian. And I am somewhat conservative, though I do not vote that way for the sole purpose of being conservative. But I do vote according to my conscience and my beliefs. That necessarily leads me to vote according to what I know about a candidate or an issue. As such, I have already completed my voter pamphlet and you might be surprised to find out that I am voting for a mix of republicans, democrats, libertarians and independents.

I am not voting for Barack Obama. And it has nothing to do with his being a democrat, being black or anything other than his ideals. Nor am I voting for John McCain. Neither of these individuals are qualified to run the country in my opinion. There are four other candidates to choose from and I know a couple whose principals line up completely with mine.

I just wish other voters had a chance to see their options. Unfortunately the media has taken all choice from us and has effectively shut out all other contenders. Which I think is crap. But I guess that is what America is all about, huh?